Billionaire aims to be ‘first nerd in space

[mrClen]

SEATTLE - When former Microsoft developer Charles Simonyi goes into orbit next March, he's not merely aiming to be the first guy from Forbes magazine's billionaire list to fly in space. He also plans to lay claim to the title of "first nerd in space."

Hungarian-born Simonyi, 58, embraced his inner nerd on Thursday during a news conference at the Museum of Flight here, just a couple of days before he goes to Russia's Star City cosmonaut complex for months of training. The preparations will lead up to a 10-day-long mission to the international space station, currently scheduled for launch on March 9.

Simonyi is going where three rich men (and one rich woman) have gone before, but this time the price tag is a bit higher. The standard quote of $20 million is going up to $25 million, and Simonyi is paying a fare somewhere between those two figures, said Eric Anderson, chief executive officer of Virginia-based Space Adventures. Anderson's company has made the arrangements with the Russians for all five of those missions.

Most of those previous fliers have avoided calling themselves "space tourists," fearing that the term implied that they were going on a joyride with no deeper meaning. Like those others, Simonyi said he would be participating in scientific studies, and also would use his space experience to inspire and educate young people.

"I want to share all that I learn with everybody," Simonyi told reporters.

But if you want to call Simonyi a space tourist, that's fine, too. "Overall, his mission is to be a visitor — to enjoy space," Anderson said.
[/b]

sounds good to me

[simplejordon]

Dr. Simonyi is a trained pilot in multi-engine aircraft with current licenses in jets and helicopters and more than 2,000 hours of flying time. He did completed the longest duration private spaceflight with not much discomfort.